Herme, met kop van een bekranste, glimlachende grijsaard 1762 - 1777

This drawing by Etienne de Lavallée-Poussin depicts a Herm, likely from the 18th century, with the head of a wreathed, smiling old man. Hermes, these pillars topped with heads, were ancient boundary markers and guardians. The wreath, a sign of honor or victory, entwined with this elder's serene smile, brings us to earlier images of deities or philosophers. This harks back to the ancient world, where such images were charged with potency. The Herm evolved from simple piles of stones into representations of gods and heroes, watching over boundaries, and carrying the weight of ancestral wisdom. Think of this symbol as a recurring dream; it surfaces in different eras. The emotional power lies in its lasting impact on our collective memory. The smile of the old man evokes tranquility and reflection, a constant reminder of human heritage.